Lipidomic profiling of plasma in patients with chronic hepatitis C infection

Unraveling lipid and inflammation interplay in cancer, aging and infection for novel theranostic approaches

The synergistic relationships between Cancer, Aging, and Infection, here referred to as the CAIn Triangle, are significant determinants in numerous health maladies and mortality rates. The CAIn-related pathologies exhibit close correlations with each other and share two common underlying factors: persistent inflammation and anomalous lipid concentration profiles in the membranes of affected cells. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of the most pertinent interconnections within the CAIn Triangle, in addition to examining the relationship between chronic inflammation and specific lipidic compositions in cellular membranes. To tackle the CAIn-associated diseases, a suite of complementary strategies aimed at diagnosis, prevention, and treatment is proffered. Our holistic approach is expected to augment the understanding of the fundamental mechanisms underlying these diseases and highlight the potential of shared features to facilitate the development of novel theranostic strategies.

Advances in Mass Spectrometry-Based Blood Metabolomics Profiling for Non-Cancer Diseases: A Comprehensive Review

Blood metabolomics profiling using mass spectrometry has emerged as a powerful approach for investigating non-cancer diseases and understanding their underlying metabolic alterations. Blood, as a readily accessible physiological fluid, contains a diverse repertoire of metabolites derived from various physiological systems. Mass spectrometry offers a universal and precise analytical platform for the comprehensive analysis of blood metabolites, encompassing proteins, lipids, peptides, glycans, and immunoglobulins. In this comprehensive review, we present an overview of the research landscape in mass spectrometry-based blood metabolomics profiling. While the field of metabolomics research is primarily focused on cancer, this review specifically highlights studies related to non-cancer diseases, aiming to bring attention to valuable research that often remains overshadowed. Employing natural language processing methods, we processed 507 articles to provide insights into the application of metabolomic studies for specific diseases and physiological systems. The review encompasses a wide range of non-cancer diseases, with emphasis on cardiovascular disease, reproductive disease, diabetes, inflammation, and immunodeficiency states. By analyzing blood samples, researchers gain valuable insights into the metabolic perturbations associated with these diseases, potentially leading to the identification of novel biomarkers and the development of personalized therapeutic approaches. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive overview of various mass spectrometry approaches utilized in blood metabolomics research, including GC-MS, LC-MS, and others discussing their advantages and limitations. To enhance the scope, we propose including recent review articles supporting the applicability of GC×GC-MS for metabolomics-based studies. This addition will contribute to a more exhaustive understanding of the available analytical techniques. The Integration of mass spectrometry-based blood profiling into clinical practice holds promise for improving disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, and patient outcomes. By unraveling the complex metabolic alterations associated with non-cancer diseases, researchers and healthcare professionals can pave the way for precision medicine and personalized therapeutic interventions. Continuous advancements in mass spectrometry technology and data analysis methods will further enhance the potential of blood metabolomics profiling in non-cancer diseases, facilitating its translation from the laboratory to routine clinical application.

Lipid signatures of West Nile virus infection unveil alterations of sphingolipid metabolism providing novel biomarkers

West Nile virus (WNV) is a neurotropic flavivirus transmitted by the bites of infected mosquitoes. Severe forms of West Nile disease (WND) can curse with meningitis, encephalitis or acute flaccid paralysis. A better understanding of the physiopathology associated with disease progression is mandatory to find biomarkers and effective therapies. In this scenario, blood derivatives (plasma and serum) constitute the more commonly used biofluids due to its ease of collection and high value for diagnostic purposes. Therefore, the potential impact of this virus in the circulating lipidome was addressed combining the analysis of samples from experimentally infected mice and naturally WND patients. Our results unveil dynamic alterations in the lipidome that define specific metabolic fingerprints of different infection stages. Concomitant with neuroinvasion in mice, the lipid landscape was dominated by a metabolic reprograming that resulted in significant elevations of circulating sphingolipids (ceramides, dihydroceramides and dihydrosphingomyelins), phosphatidylethanolamines and triacylglycerols. Remarkably, patients suffering from WND also displayed an elevation of ceramides, dihydroceramides, lactosylceramides and monoacylglycerols in their sera. The dysregulation of sphingolipid metabolism by WNV may provide new therapeutic opportunities and supports the potential of certain lipids as novel peripheral biomarkers of WND progression.

Low AMY1 Copy Number Is Cross-Sectionally Associated to an Inflammation-Related Lipidomics Signature in Overweight and Obese Individuals

SCOPE

Reduced amylase 1 (AMY1) copy numbers are associated with obesity, insulin resistance, and inflammation. Although mechanisms linking AMY1 copy number with metabolic disorders are poorly understood, recent findings suggest that lipids play a key role.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Plasma lipidomic signatures associated with AMY1 copy number are explored in 57 non-diabetic overweight/obese subjects aged 18-60. Serum amylase and inflammatory cytokines levels are also measured. AMY1 copy number is strongly associated with the serum amylase concentration. Participants are divided into low-(≤4) and high-(>4) AMY1 carriers based on the median. Low-AMY1 carriers have higher BMI and fat mass. They also have higher levels of dihexosylceramides (R = -0.27, p = 0.044), cholesterol esters (CE) (R = -0.32, p = 0.020), alkylphosphatidylcholines [PC(O)] (R = -0.33, p = 0.014), and sphingomyelins (SM) (R = -0.38, p = 0.005). From 459 lipid species, 28 differ between low- and high-AMY1 carriers. These include CE species with long-chain PUFA; PC(O) and PC plasmalogens containing arachidonic acid; and PC, mono-, di-, and tri-hexosylceramides, and SM containing saturated fatty acids (mainly C16:0 and C20:0). This lipidomic signature is strongly associated with inflammatory cytokines, which are also negatively associated with the AMY1 copy number.

CONCLUSION

A lipidomics signature associated with low AMY1 copy numbers is revealed, which is linked to obesity and chronic low-grade inflammation.

Integrated proteomic and metabolomic profiling the global response of rat glioma model by temozolomide treatment

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the first-line chemotherapeutic drug for glioblastoma treatment. It can induce O6-methylguanine DNA lesions, lead to prolonged G2-M arrest and ultimately cell death. However, the molecular response induced by TMZ has not been fully elucidated. In this study, by integrating quantitative proteomics and metabolomics, we identified protein and metabolite markers that correlate with TMZ treatment and discovered the protein-metabolite regulatory network. A total of 1782 proteins and 56 endogenous metabolites were significantly altered in the brain between sham and tumor groups, 38 metabolites markedly altered in plasma. After TMZ treatment, 251 proteins and 9 metabolites significantly changed in the brain, and 14 metabolites did in plasma. 35 proteins significantly altered by TMZ were further validated by parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) analysis. The multi-omics analysis revealed differential proteins and metabolites were involved in DNA replication, nucleotides degradation, cysteine biosynthesis, and other pathways. Adenosine, sarcosine and adenosine deaminase involved in multiple metabolic pathways may serve as potential biomarkers for TMZ treatment. This is the first report utilizing multi-omics analysis to investigate the global response of proteins and metabolites in glioma by TMZ treatment, and the data can provide a comprehensive insight to understand the mechanism of TMZ. SIGNIFICANCE: The study focused on integrating quantitative proteomics and endogenous metabolites profiling of the rat glioma brain in response to chemotherapeutic drug temozolomide treatment, which has not yet been reported. The results showed that the effect of temozolomide on glioma is significant, including DNA replication, nucleotides degradation, cysteine biosynthesis, and synaptogenesis signaling pathway. Our study can provide a comprehensive insight to screen potential targets and biomarkers of glioma as well as to elucidate the mechanism of temozolomide inhibiting tumor growth.

Characterization of pharmaceutic structured triacylglycerols by high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry and its application to structured fat emulsion injection

RATIONALE

Structured triacylglycerols (STAGs) are a complex mixture of triacylglycerols which are esterified by long-chain fatty acids and medium-chain fatty acids with the same glycerol molecular backbone. As a kind of lipid pharmaceutic excipients, STAGs are used in the pharmaceutical industry as major components of structured fat emulsion injections and play an important role in pharmaceutic energy material because they improve nutritional status with faster elimination in a safe way. The composition and proportion of triacylglycerols in STAGs are closely related to the stability of pharmaceutical preparations and curative effects in the clinic. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize pharmaceutic STAGs using a rapid and accurate method.

METHODS

An analytical method for rapid and accurate determination of triacylglycerols in pharmaceutic STAGs was developed using high-performance liquid chromatography/tandem high-resolution mass spectrometry (HPLC/HRMS). Triacylglycerol components could be well separated on a Waters Xterra MS C8 (2.1 × 100 mm, 3.5 μm) column. Four-dimensional HPLC/HRMS data (high-resolution m/z, MS² data, retention time and isotopic intensity distribution) were used to identify triacylglycerols using Lipid Data Analyzer (LDA) software and the LIPID MAPS database. Then, these identified triacylglycerol components were relatively quantified by their corresponding normalized peak areas using representative standard curves of structurally similar standard substances.

RESULTS

Forty-seven kinds of triacylglycerol components in pharmaceutic STAGs and structured fat emulsion injection were identified and relatively quantified by this method. It has been shown that their retention times are in good correlation with the number of carbon atoms and carbon-carbon double bonds. The main components in pharmaceutic STAGs and structured fat emulsion injection were triacylglycerols containing both medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids, while the other components, including triacylglycerols containing three medium-chain fatty acids and triacylglycerols containing three long-chain fatty acids, were relatively low.

CONCLUSIONS

This study has provided a rapid and accurate approach for the identification and quality control of pharmaceutic STAGs and structured fat emulsion injection and this approach can be extended to other lipid pharmaceutic excipients and used as an effective and reasonable control to guarantee the quality of pharmaceutical preparations.

Identification of hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic potential markers of triptolide in mice with delayed-type hypersensitivity

Triptolide (TP) is the crucial active ingredient of Tripterygium glycoside tablets and has been shown to have a significant therapeutic effect on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH)-related diseases. However, due to its potential hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity, adverse reactions have often been observed in long-term treatment regimens. Therefore, it is meaningful to find metabolic markers for toxicity for early diagnosis. In this study, a feasible strategy using HPLC-HRMS method combined with multivariate statistical analysis to discover toxic potential markers of TP was developed. TP was used to treat a DTH mouse model at a therapeutic dose (45μg/kg) and toxic dose (900 μg/kg). The metabolic profiles of the liver, kidney and plasma were characterized by HPLC-Q/TOF MS. Significant differences in the metabolite profiles of the liver, kidney and plasma existed between the toxic and therapeutically dosed mice. Forty-six metabolites were identified and 27 of them may be related to toxicity based on a structure-toxicity prediction model. Using OPLS-DA analysis, the metabolite profiles between the two dose groups could be well distinguished. It was found that 18, 4 and 4 metabolic markers were altered in the liver, kidney and plasma, respectively; 15, 4 and 3 of these metabolic markers were predicted to be toxic. Two toxic markers detected both in mouse plasma and human liver microsomes following incubation with TP showed great potential as early diagnosis markers for TP hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity.

Lipid profiling of pre-treatment plasma reveals biomarker candidates associated with response rates and hand-foot skin reactions in sorafenib-treated patients

Sorafenib is a multi-kinase inhibitor for treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Beyond its clinical benefit against advanced HCC, the efficacy and safety of sorafenib chemotherapy are critical concerns. In this study, we addressed the lipid profiles associated with the efficacy and safety of sorafenib chemotherapy. Plasma samples from HCC patients before sorafenib chemotherapy (N = 44) were collected and subjected to lipidomic analysis. We measured the levels of 176 lipids belonging to 8 classes of phosphoglycerolipids, 2 classes of sphingolipids, 3 classes of neutral lipids, and 4 other classes of lipids. To characterize lipids associated with efficacy, we compared the responder group (N = 21; partial response and stable disease) with non-responder group (N = 22; progressive disease). To characterize lipids associated with hand-foot skin reaction (HFSR), we compared the susceptible group (N = 12; grade 2 and 3) with non-susceptible group (N = 32; grade 0 and 1). The levels of 8 lipids, including phosphatidylcholine (PC)[34:2], PC[34:3]a, PC[35:2], PC[36:4]a, PC[34:3e], acylcarnitine (Car)[18:0], cholesterol ester[20:2], and diacylglycerol (DG)[34:2], were significantly lower in the responder group, and 6 out of 8 these lipids contained FA(18:2). In addition, the levels of 7 lipids (Car[12:0], Car[18:0], Car[18:1], Car[20:1] and fatty acid amides (FAA[16:0], FAA[18:0], and FAA[18:1]b)) were significantly lower in the group susceptible to HFSR. Our comprehensive lipidomics study using samples from sorafenib-treated patients with HCC revealed that significant differences in the lipid profiles of pre-treatment plasma were associated with sorafenib efficacy and sorafenib-induced HFSR. Validation using another set of patient plasma samples and elucidating the molecular basis of these changes will lead to better treatment with sorafenib chemotherapy.

Alterations in gut microbial function following liver transplant

Liver transplantation (LT) improves daily function and ameliorates gut microbial composition. However, the effect of LT on microbial functionality, which can be related to overall patient benefit, is unclear and could affect the post-LT course. The aims were to determine the effect of LT on gut microbial functionality focusing on endotoxemia, bile acid (BA), ammonia metabolism, and lipidomics. We enrolled outpatient patients with cirrhosis on the LT list and followed them until 6 months after LT. Microbiota composition (Shannon diversity and individual taxa) and function analysis (serum endotoxin, urinary metabolomics and serum lipidomics, and stool BA profile) and cognitive tests were performed at both visits. We enrolled 40 patients (age, 56 ± 7 years; mean Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score, 22.6). They received LT 6 ± 3 months after enrollment and were re-evaluated 7 ± 3 months after LT with a stable course. A significant improvement in cognition with increase in microbial diversity, increase in autochthonous and decrease in potentially pathogenic taxa, and reduced endotoxemia were seen after LT compared with baseline. Stool BAs increased significantly after LT, and there was evidence of greater bacterial action (higher secondary, oxo and iso-BAs) after LT although the levels of conjugated BAs remained similar. There was a reduced serum ammonia and corresponding rise in urinary phenylacetylglutamine after LT. There was an increase in urinary trimethylamine-N-oxide, which was correlated with specific changes in serum lipids related to cell membrane products. The ultimate post-LT lipidomic profile appeared beneficial compared with the profile before LT. In conclusion, LT improves gut microbiota diversity and dysbiosis, which is accompanied by favorable changes in gut microbial functionality corresponding to BAs, ammonia, endotoxemia, lipidomic, and metabolomic profiles. Liver Transplantation 24 752-761 2018 AASLD.

1H-NMR metabolomics analysis of nutritional components from two kinds of freshwater fish brain extracts

There are a number of bioactive compounds in freshwater fish brains, and their functional roles have not been clearly elucidated. NMR-based metabolic profiling could enable rapid characterization of the nutritional composition a fish's brain. Here, two kinds of freshwater fish brains were investigated, crucian carp and yellow catfish. A ¹H-NMR based metabolomic approach was used to illustrate the nutritional components of these two kinds of brain. At first, the microwave method was utilized to cease the activity of the enzymes in the brain, and the chemicals were extracted for NMR analysis. These two kinds of brain had significant differences in metabolic patterns, and the chemical compositions of the yellow catfish brain were similar to those of rodent and human brains. Furthermore, most of the different metabolites were significantly higher in the yellow catfish, except for acetamide. This study could provide comprehensive information regarding the utilization of fish heads during processing of fish and dietary nutrition guidance.

There are a number of bioactive compounds in freshwater fish brains, and their functional roles have not been clearly elucidated. NMR-based metabolic profiling could provide a rapid characterization of a fish brain's nutritional composition.

Metabolic reprogramming of the urea cycle pathway in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension rats induced by monocrotaline

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a rare systemic disorder associated with considerable metabolic dysfunction. Although enormous metabolomic studies on PAH have been emerging, research remains lacking on metabolic reprogramming in experimental PAH models. We aim to evaluate the metabolic changes in PAH and provide new insight into endogenous metabolic disorders of PAH.

Method

A single subcutaneous injection of monocrotaline (MCT) (60 mg kg^− 1) was used for rats to establish PAH model. Hemodynamics and right ventricular hypertrophy were adopted to evaluate the successful establishment of PAH model. Plasma samples were assessed through targeted metabolomic profiling platform to quantify 126 endogenous metabolites. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to discriminate between MCT-treated model and control groups. Metabolite Set Enrichment Analysis was adapted to exploit the most disturbed metabolic pathways.

Results

Endogenous metabolites of MCT treated PAH model and control group were well profiled using this platform. A total of 13 plasma metabolites were significantly altered between the two groups. Metabolite Set Enrichment Analysis highlighted that a disruption in the urea cycle pathway may contribute to PAH onset. Moreover, five novel potential biomarkers in the urea cycle, adenosine monophosphate, urea, 4-hydroxy-proline, ornithine, N-acetylornithine, and two candidate biomarkers, namely, O-acetylcarnitine and betaine, were found to be highly correlated with PAH.

Conclusion

The present study suggests a new role of urea cycle disruption in the pathogenesis of PAH. We also found five urea cycle related biomarkers and another two candidate biomarkers to facilitate early diagnosis of PAH in metabolomic profile.

Sphingolipidomics analysis of large clinical cohorts. Part 2: Potential impact and applications

It has been known for decades that the regulation of sphingolipids (SLs) is essential for the proper function of many cellular processes. However, a complete understanding of these processes has been complicated by the structural diversity of these lipids. A well-characterized metabolic pathway is responsible for homeostatic maintenance of hundreds of distinct SL species. This pathway is perturbed in a number of pathological processes, resulting in derangement of the "sphingolipidome." Recently, advances in mass spectrometry (MS) techniques have made it possible to characterize the sphingolipidome in large-scale clinical studies, allowing for the identification of specific SL molecules that mediate pathological processes and/or may serve as biomarkers. This manuscript provides an overview of the functions of SLs, and reviews previous studies that have used MS techniques to identify changes to the sphingolipidome in non-metabolic diseases.

Harmonizing lipidomics: NIST interlaboratory comparison exercise for lipidomics using SRM 1950-Metabolites in Frozen Human Plasma

As the lipidomics field continues to advance, self-evaluation within the community is critical. Here, we performed an interlaboratory comparison exercise for lipidomics using Standard Reference Material (SRM) 1950-Metabolites in Frozen Human Plasma, a commercially available reference material. The interlaboratory study comprised 31 diverse laboratories, with each laboratory using a different lipidomics workflow. A total of 1,527 unique lipids were measured across all laboratories and consensus location estimates and associated uncertainties were determined for 339 of these lipids measured at the sum composition level by five or more participating laboratories. These evaluated lipids detected in SRM 1950 serve as community-wide benchmarks for intra- and interlaboratory quality control and method validation. These analyses were performed using nonstandardized laboratory-independent workflows. The consensus locations were also compared with a previous examination of SRM 1950 by the LIPID MAPS consortium. While the central theme of the interlaboratory study was to provide values to help harmonize lipids, lipid mediators, and precursor measurements across the community, it was also initiated to stimulate a discussion regarding areas in need of improvement.

Mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics

Lipids, which have a core function in energy storage, signalling and biofilm structures, play important roles in a variety of cellular processes because of the great diversity of their structural and physiochemical properties. Lipidomics is the large-scale profiling and quantification of biogenic lipid molecules, the comprehensive study of their pathways and the interpretation of their physiological significance based on analytical chemistry and statistical analysis. Lipidomics will not only provide insight into the physiological functions of lipid molecules but will also provide an approach to discovering important biomarkers for diagnosis or treatment of human diseases. Mass-spectrometry-based analytical techniques are currently the most widely used and most effective tools for lipid profiling and quantification. In this review, the field of mass-spectrometry-based lipidomics was discussed. Recent progress in all essential steps in lipidomics was carefully discussed in this review, including lipid extraction strategies, separation techniques and mass-spectrometry-based analytical and quantitative methods in lipidomics. We also focused on novel resolution strategies for difficult problems in determining C=C bond positions in lipidomics. Finally, new technologies that were developed in recent years including single-cell lipidomics, flux-based lipidomics and multiomics technologies were also reviewed.

Lipidomics Insights in Health and Nutritional Intervention Studies

Lipids are among the major components of food and constitute the principal structural biomolecules of human body together with proteins and carbohydrates. Lipidomics encompasses the investigation of the lipidome, defined as the entire spectrum of lipids in a biological system at a given time. Among metabolomics technologies, lipidomics has evolved due to the relevance of lipids in nutrition and their well-recognized roles in health. Mass spectrometry advances have greatly facilitated lipidomics, but owing to the complexity and diversity of the lipids, lipidome purification and analysis are still challenging. This review focuses on lipidomics strategies, applications, and achievements of studies related to nutrition and health research.

The lipid-sensor TREM2 aggravates disease in a model of LCMV-induced hepatitis

Lipid metabolism is increasingly being appreciated to affect immunoregulation, inflammation and pathology. In this study we found that mice infected with lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) exhibit global perturbations of circulating serum lipids. Mice lacking the lipid-sensing surface receptor triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (Trem2 ^-/-) were protected from LCMV-induced hepatitis and showed improved virus control despite comparable virus-specific T cell responses. Non-hematopoietic expression of TREM2 was found to be responsible for aggravated hepatitis, indicating a novel role for TREM2 in the non-myeloid compartment. These results suggest a link between virus-perturbed lipids and TREM2 that modulates liver pathogenesis upon viral infection. Targeted interventions of this immunoregulatory axis may ameliorate tissue pathology in hepatitis.

Lipid profiling of the therapeutic effects of berberine in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

BACKGROUND

We recently demonstrated a positive effect of berberine on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease patients after 16 weeks of treatment by comparing mere lifestyle intervention in type 2 diabetes patients with berberine treatment, which decreased the content of hepatic fat. However, the potential mechanisms of the clinical effects are unclear. We used a lipidomic approach to characterize the state of lipid metabolism as reflected in the circulation of subjects with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) before and after berberine treatment.

METHODS

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry evaluated the various lipid metabolites in serum samples obtained from the participants (41 patients in the berberine group and 39 patients in the mere lifestyle intervention group) before and after treatment.

RESULTS

A total of 256 serum lipid molecular species were identified and quantified. Both treatments regulated various types of lipids in metabolic pathways, such as free fatty acids, phosphoglycerides and glycerides, in metabolic pathways, but berberine induced a substantially greater change in serum lipid species compared with mere lifestyle intervention after treatment. Berberine also caused obvious differences on ceramides. Berberine treatment markedly decreased serum levels of ceramide and ceramide-1-phosphate.

CONCLUSIONS

Berberine altered circulating ceramides, which may underlie the improvement in fatty liver disease. ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00633282, Registered March 3, 2008.

Targeted metabolomic profiling of cardioprotective effect of Ginkgo biloba L. extract on myocardial ischemia in rats

BACKGROUND

Myocardial ischemia (MI) is one of the highest mortality diseases in the world. It is closely associated with metabolism disorders of endogenous substances. Ginkgo biloba L. extract (GBE) is a popular herbal medicine used for prevention and therapy of MI. But its regulation effect on the metabolism disorders caused by MI remains currently unknown.

PURPOSE

Our metabolomic profiling study provided insight into endogenous metabolic disorders of MI and cardioprotective mechanisms of GBE.

STUDY DESIGN

The rats were preventive administrated of GBE (200mg/kg, i.g.) for 4 weeks and then subcutaneous injected of isoproterenol to establish MI model. Heart marker enzymes and histopathological examination were adopted to evaluate MI model and effect of GBE. On this base, endogenous metabolites in rat plasma and heart were well profiled using the developed targeted metabolomic profiling platform to comprehensively analyze metabolic pathways and find biomarkers.

METHODS

A targeted metabolomic profiling platform was developed and only 100μl biological sample was used to quantify 808 metabolites covering the core network of lipid, energy, amino acid and nucleotide metabolism. Then using this platform, endogenous metabolites of rats undergoing MI model and GBE pre-treatment were well profiled. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) was used to discriminate between groups and find biomarkers.

RESULTS

The metabolomic profiles of MI model rats pre-protected by GBE were significantly different from those of unprotected. 47 metabolites were found as potential biomarkers and indicated MI would lead to disturbed metabolism due to inflammation, oxidative stress and structural damage; while GBE could effectively restore fatty acid, sphingolipid, phosphoglyceride, glyceride, amino acid and energy metabolism, closely related to its antioxidant, PAF antagonist and hypolipidemic properties.

CONCLUSION

The cardioprotective effect of GBE can be achieved through the comprehensive regulation of multiple metabolic pathways.

Up-regulation of Plasma Hexosylceramide (d18: 1/18: 1) Contributes to Genotype 2 Virus Replication in Chronic Hepatitis C: A 20-Year Cohort Study

The aim of the present study was to explore the relationship between plasma sphingolipids and hepatitis C virus (HCV) replication in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients.A cohort of 120 treatment-naïve CHC patients was included. Liver biopsies and the Scheuer scoring system were used to assess hepatic inflammatory activity. Blood biochemical indicators, HCV-RNA load, and immunological markers were also measured. Forty-four plasma sphingolipids were identified and quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The hexosylceramide (HexCer) (d18:1/18:1) level was significantly different between patients with a low HCV load (<10 IU/mL) and a high HCV load (≥10 IU/mL), and it was positively correlated with the HCV-RNA load (r = 0.337, P = 0.001) in CHC patients. Additionally, the plasma HexCer (d18:1/18:1) level (odds ratio 1.302, 95% confidence interval 1.129-1.502) was an independent factor for a high HCV-RNA load. For patients with hepatic inflammation grade ≤2 or HCV genotype 2, HexCer (d18:1/18:1) was independently related to a high HCV-RNA load.Plasma HexCer (d18:1/18:1) might be involved in the high viral replication level in chronic HCV infection, especially for CHC patients with genotype 2.

Mass spectrometry for the detection of bioterrorism agents: from environmental to clinical applications

In the current context of international conflicts and localized terrorist actions, there is unfortunately a permanent threat of attacks with unconventional warfare agents. Among these, biological agents such as toxins, microorganisms, and viruses deserve particular attention owing to their ease of production and dissemination. Mass spectrometry (MS)-based techniques for the detection and quantification of biological agents have a decisive role to play for countermeasures in a scenario of biological attacks. The application of MS to every field of both organic and macromolecular species has in recent years been revolutionized by the development of soft ionization techniques (MALDI and ESI), and by the continuous development of MS technologies (high resolution, accurate mass HR/AM instruments, novel analyzers, hybrid configurations). New possibilities have emerged for exquisite specific and sensitive detection of biological warfare agents. MS-based strategies for clinical application can now address a wide range of analytical questions mainly including issues related to the complexity of biological samples and their available volume. Multiplexed toxin detection, discovery of new markers through omics approaches, and identification of untargeted microbiological or of novel molecular targets are examples of applications. In this paper, we will present these technological advances along with the novel perspectives offered by omics approaches to clinical detection and follow-up.

Phospholipidomic identification of potential serum biomarkers in dengue fever, hepatitis B and hepatitis C using liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry

The serum phospholipid (PL) profiles of healthy volunteers (HE) and patients with recently diagnosed dengue fever (DF), hepatitis B (HBV), and hepatitis C (HCV) were investigated using liquid chromatography-ion trap-mass spectrometry (LC-IT-MS) and liquid chromatography-triple quad-mass spectrometry (LC-TQ-MS). Major PLs, including lyso-phosphatidylcholins (LPCs), phosphatidylcholins (PCs), phosphatidylinositols (PIs), phosphatidylethanolamines (PEs) and phosphatidylserines (PSs), were characterized in human serum using LC-IT-MS. Thirty-five PLs were quantified using seven non-endogenous odd-carbon PL standards. An MS search protocol for the identification of PLs is described. The analytical method was optimized to achieve maximum recovery and detection. PLs were detected with minimal ionization suppression. The PLs species were characterized on the basis of (i) MS(2) peaks due to polar head, (ii) precursor ion or neutral loss scans, (iii) identification of fatty acid, (iv) identification of sn-1 and sn-2 fatty acid. The quantitation data were subjected to principal component analysis (PCA), and a significant difference was observed between the PL profiles of the investigated diseases and those of HE subjects. The significance of the changes in each lipid among the four groups was statistically assessed using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni post hoc multiple comparison. The serum profiles of 28 PLs were determined to be significantly different and enabled the discrimination between HE individuals and the studied patients. Potentially dysregulated PLs were considered as differentiating biomarkers to diagnose DF, HBV, and HCV.

Plasma sphingolipids: potential biomarkers for severe hepatic fibrosis in chronic hepatitis C

The plasma profile of sphingolipids in hepatic fibrosis patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is rarely considered at present. The association between plasma sphingolipids and severe fibrosis in CHC remains an obscure area of research. The aim of the present study was to assess the plasma profile of sphingolipids and to examine the association between plasma sphingolipids and severe fibrosis in CHC, in order to identify potential novel markers of severe fibrosis in CHC. A cohort of 120 treatment-naïve patients with CHC were included in the present study. Liver biopsies were performed and routine serological indicators were measured. Plasma sphingolipids were detected using high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. A total of 44 plasma sphingolipids were detected. Plasma hexosylceramide (HexCer; d18:1/12:0), HexCer (d18:1/16:0) and HexCer (d18:1/22:0) were shown to be significantly different in patients with CHC between those with and without severe fibrosis (Metavir F ≥ 3; P < 0.05). HexCer (d18:1/12:0) was observed to be closely associated with severe fibrosis in CHC [odds ratio (OR)=1.03] following adjustment for confounding variables in a multivariate analysis. HexCer (d18:1/12:0) had diagnostic value for severe fibrosis in CHC [area under the curve (AUC)=0.69]. In patients with CHC who had developed significant fibrosis (Metavir F ≥ 2), HexCer (d18:1/12:0) remained closely associated with severe fibrosis (OR=1.08) in this subgroup. In addition, HexCer (d18:1/12:0) had sufficient diagnostic ability (AUC=0.73) to distinguish severe fibrosis in patients with CHC with significant fibrosis. In conclusion, the present study indicated that plasma HexCer (d18:1/12:0) exhibits a close correlation with severe hepatic fibrosis in CHC, particularly in patients who have significant fibrosis. Additionally, HexCer (d18:1/12:0) may be a potential marker of severe hepatic fibrosis in CHC.

Elevated plasma sphingomyelin (d18:1/22:0) is closely related to hepatic steatosis in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus infection

Hepatic steatosis affects disease progression in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. We investigated the plasma sphingolipid profile in patients with chronic hepatitis C (CHC) and whether there was an association between HCV-related steatosis and plasma sphingolipids. We used high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) to analyze plasma sphingolipids in 120 interferon-naïve, non-diabetic, and non-obese CHC patients. Hepatic steatosis was defined as ≥5 % hepatocytes with fat based on histopathological analysis. Blood biochemical indicators and HCV load and genotype were also determined. Thirty-six (30.0 %) of 120 patients presented with hepatic steatosis Grades 1-3. Forty-four plasma sphingolipids were detected. Plasma sphingomyelin (SM) (d18:1/22:0) and ceramide (Cer) (d18:1/24:0)-1-P correlated with steatosis grade (r = 0.22, p = 0.015; r = -0.23, p = 0.012, respectively). SM (d18:1/22:0) [odds ratio (OR) = 1.12] and Cer (d18:1/24:0)-1-P (OR = 0.88) were independent factors for the presence of hepatic steatosis in CHC patients. The area under the curve (AUC) of SM (d18:1/22:0) and Cer (d18:1/24:0)-1-P was 0.637 and 0.638, respectively, to identify the presence of steatosis. Further analysis for genotype 2 CHC showed that only SM (d18:1/22:0) was independently linked to steatosis (OR = 1.21). The AUC of SM (d18:1/22:0) to identify hepatic steatosis in genotype 2 CHC was 0.726. Its sensitivity and negative predictive value reached 0.813 and 0.886, respectively. This study suggested that altered plasma SM (d18:1/22:0) was closely related to hepatic steatosis in chronic HCV infection, especially with genotype 2. Experimental studies are needed to determine further the underlying mechanisms responsible for these associations.

Plasma sphingolipids as potential indicators of hepatic necroinflammation in patients with chronic hepatitis C and normal alanine aminotransferase level

Accurate estimation of hepatic necroinflammation caused by chronic hepatitis C (CHC) is crucial for prediction of prognosis and design of therapeutic strategy, which is particularly true for CHC patients with normal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level. Recent studies have shown that sphingolipids have a close relationship with hepatitis C virus infection. The present study aimed to identify plasma sphingolipids related to hepatic necroinflammation. We included 120 treatment-naïve CHC patients and 64/120 had normal ALT levels (<40 U/L). CHC patients who underwent liver biopsies were subjected to Scheuer scoring analysis for scope of hepatic inflammation. Plasma sphingolipids were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Our results showed 44 plasma sphingolipids were detected altogether. Of all detected sphingolipids, hexosylceramide (HexCer) (d18∶1/22∶0) and HexCer (d18∶1/24∶0) showed a significant difference among G0/G1, G2, and G3/G4 (P<0.05). For identifying hepatic necroinflammation (G≥2), after adjusting other factors, the odds ratio (OR) of HexCer (d18∶1/22∶0) reached 1.01 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.00–1.02). Furthermore, the area under the curve (AUC) of HexCer (d18∶1/22∶0) was 0.7 (P = 0.01) and approached that of ALT (AUC = 0.78). However, in CHC patients with normal ALT, HexCer (d18∶1/22∶0) was an independent factor (OR: 1.02, 95% CI: 1.01–1.03) to identify the hepatic necroinflammation (G≥2). HexCer (d18∶1/22∶0) not only showed the largest AUC (0.78, P = 0.001), but also exhibited the highest specificity of all indicators. These results indicate that plasma HexCer (d18∶1/22∶0) is a potential indicator to distinguish hepatic necroinflammation in CHC patients. For CHC with normal ALT, the ability of HexCer (d18∶1/22∶0) to distinguish hepatic necroinflammation might be superior to conventional serum indicators.